OBJECTIVE: To attempt to establish an objective quantitative indicator to characterize the trigger point activity, so as to evaluate the effect of dry needling on myofascial trigger point activity. METHODS: Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into blank control group, dry needling (needling) group, stretching exercise (stretching) group and needling plus stretching group ( n ＝6 per group). The chronic myofascial pain (trigger point) model was established by freedom vertical fall of a wooden striking device onto the mid-point of gastrocnemius belly of the left hind-limb to induce contusion, followed by forcing the rat to make a continuous downgrade running exercise at a speed of 16 m/min for 90 min on the next day which was conducted once a week for 8 weeks...

OBJECTIVE: This study examines the electromyography pattern of abdominal trigger points developed after a caesarean section and the association between clinical response and local anaesthetic injection. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: A tertiary university hospital. POPULATION: Twenty-nine women with chronic pelvic pain associated with trigger points after a caesarean section were included in the study. METHODS: Participants received needle electromyography before treatment, then underwent a treatment protocol consisting of trigger-point injection of 2 mL of 1% lidocaine...

The purpose of this study was to analyze and compare intra and intergroup the immediate effect of the auricular and LR8 systemic acupuncture on the electromyographic activity of the trapezius with the trigger points. This is an experimental clinical trial; 40 people were split in 4 distinct groups (n = 10): GI mustard seed application in the auricular acupoint; GII bilateral needle application in the LR8 acupoint; GIII combination of the techniques; GIV/Control Group mustard seed application in an acupoint not linked to the muscle tension...

Objective: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the inclusion of trigger point-dry needling (TrP-DN) into an exercise program for the management of subacromial pain syndrome. Methods: Fifty patients with unilateral subacromial pain syndrome were randomized with concealed allocation to exercise alone or exercise plus TrP-DN. Both groups were asked to perform an exercise program targeting the rotator cuff musculature twice daily for five weeks. Patients allocated to the exercise plus TrP-DN group also received dry needling during the second and fourth sessions...

The purpose of this study was to firstly investigate the effects of treating latent myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) in the lower limb kinetic chain with respect to performance during sporting actions, as opposed to the traditional goal of pain management with active MTrPs. The second aim was to investigate the effects of dry needling (DN) on performance parameters over time to establish treatment timeframe guidelines prior to performance. Forty male athletes were assigned to four groups; rectus femoris DN (group 1), medial gastrocnemius DN (group 2), rectus femoris and medial gastrocnemius DN (group 3) and no DN (group 4)...

QUESTION: What is the effectiveness and what are the adverse effects. DESIGN: Systematic review with meta-analysis. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with shoulder or upper extremity pain or dysfunction. INTERVENTION: Trigger point dry needling (TDN) compared to control, another intervention or another needling technique. OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome measures included shoulder or upper limb pain, shoulder or upper limb dysfunction...

CONTEXT: Chronic musculoskeletal disorders in shoulder joint are often associated with myofascial trigger points (MTrP), particularly in the upper trapezius (UT) muscle. Dry needling (DN) is a treatment of choice for myofascial pain syndrome. However, local lesions and severe post-needle soreness sometimes hamper the direct application of DN in the UT. Therefore, finding an alternative point of treatment seems useful in this regard. OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of UT versus infraspinatus (ISP) DN on pain and disability of subjects with shoulder pain...

The majority of papers included in the quarterly review discuss various aspects of dry needling (DN), which continues to be of interest to researchers and clinicians. A study by Liu et al. is the first paper to examine the effects of DN of acetylcholine, esterase and receptors. The study provides support for the integrated trigger point hypothesis and for DN. A paper by Hightower and colleagues found an intriguing link between low magnesium levels in the drink water supply, vitamin D, and myofascial pain, cancer, tendon ruptures, and colon polyps...

We think that all the methods of puncturing into the skin to prevent and treat diseases are belong to acupuncture science. In spite of its basic theory of meridian and acupoint, anatomy and physiology have been important parts of modern acupuncture science. "Dry needling", however, is limited to trigger point theory. As for the positions, acupuncture is applied mainly at acupoints, involving in skin, muscles, tendons, vessels and nerves; while "dry needling" is used mostly at muscles. The needles of acupuncture are in various lengths and diameters and its manipulations are abundant, including the traditional skills and the achievements of modern science and technology research, such as electroacupuncture...

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical efficacy on primary trigeminal neuralgia between the combined therapy of electroacupuncture and triple puncture and the routine electroacupuncture therapy. METHODS: Thirty-six patients of primary trigeminal neuralgia were randomly assigned into an electroacupuncture and triple puncture group (group A) and a routine electroacupuncture group (group B), 18 cases in each one. In the group A, the triple puncture technique was used at the trigger points (the positive reactive points to trigger facial pain) and stimulated with electricity...

Introduction: Dry needling has been reported to decrease pain in subjects having myofascial trigger points, as well as pain in muscle and connective tissue. Objective: The purpose of the study was to compare the effects on the ability to perform a two-legged vertical jump between a group who received one bout of dry needling and a group who received one bout of a sham treatment. Methods: Thirty-five healthy students (19 males, 16 females) were recruited to participate in this study (mean age 22...

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of the proprioceptive sensibility reflexotherapy by tendon acupuncture needling at trigger points for patients with proprioceptive disorder of cervical vertigo. METHODS: Seventy-nine patients with proprioceptive disorder of cervical vertigo were randomly assigned into a treatment group (42 cases) and a control group (37 cases). Patients in the treatment group received the proprioceptive sensibility reflexotherapy with tendon acupuncture at trigger points in the neck...

BACKGROUND: Myofascial trigger point (MTrP) injection and trigger point dry needling (TrPDN) are widely accepted therapies for myofascial pain syndrome (MPS). Empirical evidence suggests eliciting a local twitch response (LTR) during needling is essential. OBJECTIVE: This is the first review exploring the available literature, regardless of study design, on the neurophysiological effects and clinical significance of the LTR as it relates to reductions in pain and disability secondary to MTrP needling...

In this overview of the myofascial pain literature, we have included several original contributions ranging from a study by Bowen and colleagues of trigger points in horses to the introduction of a new clinical entity of "laryngeal muscle myofascial pain syndrome in dysphonic patients." Minerbi and colleagues described for the first time the referred pain patterns of the longus colli muscle, while Casale and associates studied the spinal modulatory action of dry needling or acupuncture stimulation. Many dry needling articles are included in this overview with several recent outcome studies...

An estimated 19% of the adult population in western countries lives with chronic pain. Pain management lies mainly within the primary care and community setting. We evaluated the outcome of a new model of secondary care clinics, conducted by primary care physicians with specialized training in pain medicine. Data on referral patterns, prevalence of pain diagnosis, and medication consumption were recorded at five secondary pain management clinics in the community setting. In total, 997 patients with pain attended 2,652 visits (average 2...

RATIONALE: Although trigger point injection is known as an easy and low-risk procedure, it is contraindicated to patients with hemorrhagic disorders or who regularly take anticoagulants/antiplatelets. However, taking clopidogrel is not a defined contraindication to this low-risk procedure. PATIENT CONCERNS: The chief complaint of a 76-year old woman regularly taking clopidogrel was low back and left buttock pain which prolonged for several years. DIAGNOSES: The patient was diagnosed with L4-5 and L5-S1 spinal stenosis at the orthopedics department and was referred for lumbar spinal epidural steroid injection...

BACKGROUND: Acupuncture techniques are commonly used as initial treatments for myofascial pain syndrome. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess and compare the efficacy and safety of different techniques of acupuncture for myofascial pain syndrome. STUDY DESIGN: Network meta-analysis. SETTING: All selected studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs). METHODS: The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database were searched from their inceptions to February 2016...

[Purpose] We compared the effectiveness of dry needling with a classical physiotherapy program in patients with chronic low-back pain caused by lumbar disc hernia (LHNP). [Subjects and Methods] In total, 34 subjects were allocated randomly to the study (n=18) and control groups (n=16). In the study group, dry needling was applied using acupuncture needles. The control group performed a home exercise program in addition to hot pack, TENS, and ultrasound applications. Pain was assessed with the short form of the McGill Pain Questionnaire...

BACKGROUND: Shoulder pain of musculoskeletal origin is the main cause of upper limb pain of non-traumatic origin. Despite being one of the most common reasons for consultation, there is no established protocol for treatment due to the complexity of its etiology. However, it has been shown that the presence of myofascial trigger points on the shoulder muscles is a common condition associated with patients suffering from shoulder pain. This protocol has been created which describes the design of a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of the inclusion of dry needling (DN) within a protocol of manual physiotherapy and therapeutic exercise in the treatment of chronic shoulder pain of unspecific origin...